The Penn's Grove record., 1887-03-05
PENIS 0 N. j.. SATURDAY. MARCH 5, 1887.

"a ~
fell on a brawny Yorkshlreman, n
Crimean and Indian veteran named
Sykes who at once intimated it as his
intention to have a shot at the spectre;
and being filed with a superstitlous
belief In the efficacy Of a silver bullet
when fired at a visitor frem the world
Of spirits, vowed that he would hammer
up his days pay Of six pence and place
it In a cartridge, to make sure of
''doing for" the ghost, even although
he knew the operation referred TO
would spoil the price Of a quart Of beer.
The sergeant of the guard having
seriously inquired Of the adjutant
whether, in the event Of the figure
again making its appearances, the SEN
try would be empowered to fire at it
ST think not" the officer laughinRly
observed. "If it's a real ghost, then
Pm afraid a bullet won't be of much
service. If 1t is a practical joker, then
without shooting him."
That evening at mess the appearance
Of the spectre was the general theme OF
conversation among the officers; but
all OF them, however, expressed their
incredibly in regard to the story. A
few Of the youngsters, whose curiosity
was strongly excited on the subject,
made up their minds to keep watch
beside the sentry, so as to pouTce on
the spirit when 1t made its appearance,
and arranged to take with them a pet
bulldog belonging to the colonel, to as.
sist In the operation.
Wont you Join US sir2" asked a
young ensign, addressing the command
ing officer.
81 think not" he replied. "l'm
tired, and shall 60 to bed. II you catch
the ghost-which l suspect is likely to
be one of the men-clap him in irons
and put him in q cell. I'll tend to him
Tomorrow"
When Colonel Morgan left the mess
room, he visited the haunted post be-
fore retiring to his quarters, which
were close at hand. After replying to
the sentry's challenge, he asked Sykes:
"Have you seen anything as ytt?"
mot yet, SIR" replied the a
81 don't think that 1t is likely you
will, either" remarked the colonel
with q laugh as be retired to his room.
Shortly, afterward, when the clock
struck two, the young officers left the
mess-room and cautiously stole over
the barrack square to the place where
esprit held his won't to walk" Poor
Sykes was very glad Of their company,
for though he was a man Of undou6ted
pluck, and greatly respected in the
regiment for his pugllistic proves. he
was not ut all bright at the prospect OF
tackllng the ghost all by himself. He
paced about on his post, keeping a
sharp lookout, and the officers crouched
under a shadow OF the wall; while the
dog took up its quarters IN the sentry
box. A little before three they vert
startled by the appearance Of the appa,
rition, which carried as before, a drawn
sword.
"Who comes thereS" shouted Sykes.
bringing his rifle to the ''charge."
The spectre made no answer, but
| slowly raised its left hand to its fore.
head.
The dog, with a loud growl, sprsng
out of the box and rushed open-mouthed
at the figure; but when he approached
it began to wag his tall, and evinced
symptoms of great satisfaction. The
officers and the sentry at nee sur.
rounded the ghost, and found, to their
most intense establishment, that it
was no other than Colonel Morgan
himself. attired In his night dress, In q
state of somnambullsmI
Aware of the danger or awaking bin
while In that condition, they followed
him to his room, whittier he almost
Immediately returned, and then they
saw him sheathe his sword and returned
TO bed seemingly obllvious of their
presence.
Next morning he was apprisel of the
circumstances of the case; and the poor
colonel was naturally very much con.
cerned on learning the nature of the
malady Of which he had been an uncon.
scious victim. OF course his first ac-
ton wa to write an explanation to the
general, with q request for my RELEASE;
and his next to publish in regimental
orders his regret for the trouble he had
unwlttiDgly occasioned.
Several red-taped farmalities had to
be gone through; and it Vas some days
before | was astonished and delighted
by an intimation from the prison gov
ernor that l was free; and was handed
over to the charge OF the corporal, who
had been sent to bring me to my regi-
meRt. Whenever | entered the bar
racks, / was ordered to proceed at once
to the commanding officers quarters.
Colonel Morgan shook hands with me,
and expressed his extreme concern
that he had been the innocent cause of
my having been subjected to such
ignominy.
mo wonder that 1 frightened you.
my lad" he observed with a smile.
After informing me that he was about
to proceed on leaye-wlth the intention
Of undergoing a course of medical
treatment to cure HIM of his dangerous
propensity to walk in his sleep-he pre-
senied me with five pounds by way of
so.atum; and further gratlied me by
saying that having ascertained l was of
good character and well educated, he
had that day placed me in orders as
hlving been appointed lance corporal.
Always behave yourself. my lad, and
| shan't forget you," said the colonel;
aad | left his quarters perfectly over
dyed with my good luck, scarcely be-
lieving that the pleasant, affable, kind
ly gentleman with whom l had con-
versed was the h~ectoring. bullying
commander who was the terror of the
regiment.
The colonel faithfully kept his word
to me. When he rejoined the corps,
completely cured Of his complaint, |
was promoted rapidly; and eight years
subsequently, through the influence OF
my patron, General Morgan. | was
gazetted as quartermaster of my regL
ment.
The Ism he Had.